Pittsburgh Pirates

Pirates star Andrew McCutchen moving to right field

PITTSBURGH, PA - OCTOBER 07: Andrew McCutchen #22 of the Pittsburgh Pirates reacts after flying out in the fourth inning during the National League Wild Card game against the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park on October 7, 2015 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Andrew McCutchen is on the move, just not out of Pittsburgh.

Pirates manager Clint Hurdle announced Sunday that McCutchen is moving from center field to right field this season. Gregory Polanco will flip from right field to left, with Starling Marte sliding over from left to center.

McCutchen, a five-time All-Star and the 2013 National League MVP, won a Gold Glove in center in 2012 but has seen a dip in his defensive performance recently, according to advanced metrics. Pittsburgh explored trading McCutchen earlier in the offseason, but he is expected to be with the team when the Pirates report for spring training later this month.

Hurdle called all three outfielders "selfless" for being open to the new alignment. Marte, an All-Star last year, is a two-time Gold Glove winner in left.

 

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